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Radio Rumi is hosted by Dr. Fatemeh Keshavarz at the University of Maryland. Keshavarz is author of award winning books including Reading Mystical Lyric: the Case of Jalal al-Din Rumi...

Radio Rumi is hosted by Dr. Fatemeh Keshavarz at the University of Maryland. Keshavarz is author of award winning books including Reading Mystical Lyric: the Case of Jalal al-Din Rumi (USC Press,1998), Recite in the Name of the Red Rose (USC Press, 2006) and a book of literary analysis and social commentary titled Jasmine and Stars: Reading more than Lolita in Tehran (UNC Press, 2007). She has also published other books and numerous journal articles. Keshavarz is a published poet in Persian and English and an activist for peace and justice. Currently, she directs the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures as well as Roshan Institute for Persian Studies at UMD.

Radio Rumi is a gift to those who wish to taste Rumi's words. The purpose is not to analyze, theorize, or prove anything. These are conversations meant to bring Rumi's poetry to life.
Invitations to enter his vibrant universe and see with fresh eyes.

Welcome to this exploration

Opening song: Arayesh e ghaliz, Homayun Shajarian
Producer: Sogand Seirafi
Graphic Designer: Amaal Yazdi
Editorial Consultant: Faezeh Lotfalian
Project Manager: Samar Ata
Audio editing: Tommy Hegarty
Technical assistance is provided by the Center for Innovation in Teaching at Learning, University of Maryland

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Radio Rumi

Radio Rumi Program 66: The Lands and Seas Are Vast, and the People Numerous

28 JUN 2023 · In this summer special episode, I discuss the worldly awareness of medieval Persian poets and thinkers, emphasizing their attention to cultures different than their own. Three figures are showcased: the philosopher Aziz Nasafi, Rumi, and Sa'di of Shiraz.

1h 10m 30s
Radio Rumi Program 65: The Blessed Madness That Helps You Find the Moon!

11 MAY 2023 · This episode focuses on the complexity of the concept of madness in Rumi's poetry. It explores our poet's approach to madness as a tool that curbs the power of rules and regulations to allow the formation of human spiritual originality.

42m 48s
Radio Rumi Program 64: Dance Them Out of Your Life!

13 APR 2023 · This program is dedicated to the significance of dancing in human life. I start with Hafiz of Shiraz, then move on to Sa'di's approach to the topic and end with a ghazal of Rumi which uses the refrain "Come on! Dance!" We explore what these medieval poets think dancing does for us.

37m 16s
Radio Rumi Program 63: The Winter Is Gone, Did You Hear?

29 MAR 2023 · On the occasion of the arrival of spring, millions of people across the globe are celebrating "Nowruz." In this program, I explore the literary, symbolic, and spiritual meanings of the concept of spring through a few examples from the ghazals of Hafiz, Sa‘di, and Rumi. sa‘di

31m 33s
Radio Rumi Program 62: I Saw Angels Knocking on the Door of the Wine-House

9 MAR 2023 · In this program, I focus on wine and wine-house in the poetry of Hafiz of Shiraz. In the journey that we take from Konya to Shiraz, instead of asking whether the wine that Hafiz drank was real or allegorical, I explore the wine-house itself as a counter space to places of worship.

27m 33s
Radio Rumi Program 61: Persons-in-Community, Not Egos-in-Isolation

21 FEB 2023 · In this episode, I focus on the ways in which one of my favorite philosophers and a few life-companion poets (including Rumi) discuss an important aspect of our life journey: traveling from the isolation of an ego to the generosity of sharing ourselves with trusted companions.

28m 6s
Radio Rumi Program 60: The Harmonious Interrelation That Is Life

31 JAN 2023 · I start this program with a quote from a modern Western philosopher about the interconnection of all life everywhere. Comparing his view with that of a medieval Persian Sufi, I then share with you Hafiz and Rumi's poetic expressions of the same idea: life as a harmonious interrelation.

30m 52s
Radio Rumi Program 59: Before You, The Sun Is But a Sundown!

12 JAN 2023 · A large part of the world has just celebrated Christmas. This program looks into the poetic presence of Jesus in classical Persian poetry and his symbolic dedication to perpetuating life and honoring its sanctity.

28m 36s
Radio Rumi Program 58: Like all Nights, Yaldas Come to an End

21 DEC 2022 · In this episode, we take another poetic journey to Shiraz to spend Yalda with the master poet, Saʿdi. He speaks of the symbolic significance of nights as moments of repose, and of cruelty to others as the true darkness. We return to Konya wishing Iranians' suffering in this Yalda of cruelty to come to an end soon.

24m
Radio Rumi Program 57: Dancing Around a Rainbow

7 DEC 2022 · This episode is dedicated to the Iranian children suffering as the violent response to the uprisings causes them harm. I focus on children as the dynamic, playful, and growing presences in our lives. Rumi speaks of them frequently as he alludes to our child within, the part of us which yearns for growth.

31m 39s

Radio Rumi is hosted by Dr. Fatemeh Keshavarz at the University of Maryland. Keshavarz is author of award winning books including Reading Mystical Lyric: the Case of Jalal al-Din Rumi...